Lincolnshire County Council and NHS health trusts partner with developer to launch therapy app Lumi Nova

A video game is being offered by health bosses to help children cope with anxiety and build emotional resilience.

From today (Wednesday), children aged seven to 12 in Lincolnshire will have free access to Lumi Nova, a video game that combines the principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with ethical gaming to provide a unique, self-guided experience for children.

The one-year pilot, free for families in the county, is being launched by Lincolnshire County Council, NHS Lincolnshire, and Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Trust.

The app delivers personalised quests, including activities like drawing scenarios or watching immersive videos, helping children manage anxieties safely and engagingly.

Coun Patricia Bradwell (Con) executive member for children’s services at Lincolnshire County Council, emphasised the importance of accessible mental health resources.

“The mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in Lincolnshire is a key priority for us and our partners, and we want to provide broader, flexible, and easily accessible services,” she said.

The app is already used in parts of the UK and has received endorsement from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), ensuring that it meets high safety and regulatory standards.

Manjul Rathee, founder of BFB Labs, the creators of Lumi Nova, expressed excitement about the collaboration: “We are delighted to partner with Lincolnshire County Council and NHS Lincolnshire ICB to offer Lumi Nova to children and families across Lincolnshire.

“This collaboration allows us to provide non-stigmatising support for everyday worries and anxiety, helping young minds build lifelong resilience.”

The app is available for free, with no prescription or referral required via Lumi Nova’s hub.

There is no limit to the number of children who can access the intervention, nor how many times or for how long they can access the support.